Have a dog and a smile

Posted: Sunday, March 25, 2001

MARLENE FEDURISGlobe-News Feature Writer

On hospital visits, Bobby Golden of Skellytown and his dog, Bo, are favorites among children at the Northwest Texas Hospital. He and other Therapy Dog Inc. volunteers go door-to-door in the pediatrics ward.

Sometimes approaching hospital patients is awkward, Golden said. When visiting, he knocks on patients' doors, tells them that he brought his dog and asks them whether they would like a visit.

"Some people don't like dogs," he said. "We visit first and let them pet the dog. We tell them that he knows a few tricks and asks if they would like see them."

Part dachshund and part Labrador, Bo has a long body, stubby legs and a long nose. And he'll do just about anything for an Old Mother Hubbard treat and for his owner, Golden.

"Actually it's called praise and reward," Golden said. "You praise and reward them. We took a year of obedience training before we even tested for Therapy Dogs Inc."

Golden knew when he got Bo that he wanted to get into the Therapy Dog Inc. program, which is home-based in Cheyenne Wyo. His nephew was in an accident about seven years ago and received care at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Albuquerque, N.M.

"They brought the therapy dogs in," Golden said."And the look on his face when they brought them in - I just had to do this. I really did."

Golden and Bo are among the volunteers who visit not only hospitalized children but also seniors in long-term care facilities in the Panhandle.

But Golden freely admits that the effort benefits him, too.

"I'm disabled," Golden said. "That's the one thing, Bo keeps me going. I have rheumatoid arthritis, and he gets me up. Working with our dog doing obedience is a lot of exercise."

The twosome enjoys taking walks and playing with Frisbees and balls in the yard. Golden began teaching Bo tricks at age 6 weeks. His dog Star, a miniature schnauzer, also is a registered therapy dog. But Star doesn't make the therapy circuit as often.

"Bo does all of the tricks," Golden said. "But my little schnauzer is starting to do tricks. He will one of these days."

Golden recently received approval as a tester/observer for the Therapy Dog Program Inc.